Who Is Melia McEnery – Eric Clapton’s Wife? Here Are Facts You Need To Know

A socialite and philanthropist, Melia McEnery is more than just a celebrity spouse to Eric Clapton, one of the world’s greatest guitarists and rock legend. For nearly two decades, McEnery has been the better half of the English rock and blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and the only three-time inductee to the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’. She is unarguably credited with being the rock star’s success secret in his later years. While many rock fans would be familiar with details about Clapton, the same can’t be said of his significant other. Join us in unearthing lesser-known facts about the woman who brought domestic bliss into the life of the veteran singer formerly known as a sex and drug addict…

Who Is Melia McEnery – Eric Clapton’s Wife?

An only child, Melia McEnery was born on the 1st of February 1976, to a Scottish-English father and a Korean-Irish mother. She was born and raised in Ohio by her father who was a construction worker and her mother a homemaker. Melia attended Bishop Watterson High School and later bagged a degree in art. After college, she relocated to California and worked odd jobs to earn a living. First, she worked in the design industry before getting a job as an assistant with Giorgio Armani.

Here Are Facts You Need To Know

Marital Journey

Melia McEnery is Eric Clapton’s better half. The love birds first crossed paths in 1999 while attending a Giorgio Armani party in Los Angeles. Being part of the event planners and host, it was quite ‘unprofessional’ for Melia to interact with guests at the party, however, she couldn’t help but get an autograph for her uncle from Clapton. At the time, both parties were unaware that the act would be the start of their long term love journey especially given that the veteran rock guitarist was reputed for womanizing. Thereafter, the pair went on their first date and quickly established a romantic connection. They courted for a year before the stress of Clapton’s career took a toll on their relationship, thus parting ways.

Destiny soon brought them back together again and Melia was put in the family way in the winter of 2000. A few days after his second daughter Julie Rose was born, Clapton proposed to McEnery on June 17, 2001, at her family home in Columbus, Ohio.

Melia and Eric tied the knot in 2002 on New Year’s Day in a private ceremony at St Mary Magdalene church, Ripley, Surrey. The couple has since expanded their family and are parents to three daughters – Julie Rose born in 2001, Ella May born in 2003 and Sophie Belle born in 2005.

Age Difference

Melia is 31 years younger than her husband Eric Clapton who was born on March 30, 1945. At the time the couple first met in 1999, Eric was 53 and Melia was only 22. Nonetheless, the big age disparity was no barrier as love conquered for the couple.

Second Wife and Step Mother

Melia McEnery is Eric Clapton’s second wife as the legendary guitarist was married before he met Melia. Clapton was married to Pattie Boyd, an English model, and photographer, from March 1979 to June 1989. Interestingly, Clapton’s first wife was also previously married to his friend George Harrison from 1966 to 1977. Clapton and Boyd unsuccessfully tried to have children and suffered several miscarriages before their split.

While married to Boyd, Clapton had an affair with Yvonne Kelly, the manager of AIR Studios Montserrat and the relationship produced Eric’s first daughter Ruth Kelly born in 1985. Ruth’s mother kept her from the public until 1991 when the rock star eventually met his daughter for the first time.

Again, Eric had another affair with Italian model Lory Del Santo and they produced a son named Conor in August 1986. Sadly, in March 1991 when Conor was just four years old, he accidentally fell from an open window on the 53rd floor from his Manhattan apartment and died. The tragedy inspired Clapton’s hit song Tears in Heaven.

Double Celebration

Eric Clapton and Melia McEnery’s wedding day in 2002 also doubled as the baptism/christening ceremony of Clapton’s two daughter’s Ruth Kelly and Julie Rose. Friends and family of the couple believed they were invited for the girls’ baptism at the Chapel of St Mary Magdalene in Ridley, but after the christening, Clapton and McEnery shocked their guests when they exchanged their wedding vows that same day.

Dating History

Prior to her happily-ever-after journey with the legendary guitarist Eric Clapton, Melia was romantically linked to Chris Losinske, a former coffee shop worker. She and Losinske were in a longterm relationship before Clapton came into the scene. Apparently, Melia eventually ditched Chris for the rock star and today, the rest is history.

Philanthropy

Melia McEnery is a dedicated philanthropist who has been involved in various charitable causes. Notably, she works as a Senior Clinical Advisor for Crossroads Centre Antigua. The rehab facility located in the West Indies was established by her husband in 1998 to help people recover effectively from alcohol and drug addiction. She is also closely associated and sits on the board of several other children charities.

Private Person

Melia McEnery came into the limelight following her relationship and marriage to rock legend Eric Clapton. Despite the fame that comes with being the wife of a statuesque figure, McEnery prefers to live low key and shies away from the limelight.